Martin Luther King, Jr.
"If a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live."
     --MLK, Jr.  Speech in Detroit, Michigan on June 23, 1963

This Monday, January 17th, our nation again honors the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr, who's life was tragically cut short on April 4th, 1968.  In the wake of the tragic shootings in Tucson, AZ, we realize as a nation, we are far from the dream that the Reverend envisioned for America and the world at large.  Mahatma Gandhi exhorted, "Be the change you want to see in the world."  We cannot leave action to politicians or activists.  During the course of the weekend, use this holiday as a talking point with your families:  What can we do to realize change in our own lives?

California African American Museum
On January 16th at 1:00pm, join the CAAM as they celebrate the inspiration of one man's dream.  View film screenings of his speeches and experience artists Freda Payne and Jeffrey Anderson Gunter's performances on their main stage representing the diverse communities of MLK's dream.  For more info, visit their site at: http://www.caamuseum.org/pp.htm

re Your Child's School Lunches Lackluster?

Let's face it; since peanut allergies emerged, our old stand-by has now become $10 and wishful thinking that the school is serving salad and fruit alongside the pizza and cheese sticks.   Did our  gusto for healthy lunches end two weeks after Labor Day?  As we rush down the aisles at Trader Joes, we wonder how often we can slip Tasty Little Crackers into our kids lunches and have them think its vogue. 

Need lunch ideas that won't send your kids straight to the lunch bartering table in hopes of fruit roll-ups? 

 

A few reminders for you as you work up the courage to entice your child away from the more processed and packaged foods (cited from http://busycooks.about.com)

• Actual time for eating lunch at most schools only lasts for 15 to 20 minutes and is filled with distractions. Make sure the lunch foods you pack are easy to eat, packed in easily opened packages, and don't require peeling or special tools.
• Small foods are not only easier for children to handle, but they are more fun to eat. Cut sandwiches into smaller pieces, use tiny tortillas for wraps and small sandwich buns, serve baby carrots and peel and cut fruit into smaller pieces to interest your child in the foods you pack.
  
• Salsa, hummus, bean dips, or fruit dips with baked chips and veggies or fruit are good lunchbox choices, since these foods contain more vitamins and fiber.
  
• If you make your own snack mixes, you can include healthy additions like dried fruits, unsalted nuts, pretzels, and baked crackers. Kids love to munch on something crunchy and sweet or savory.  

For more great tips and recipies, visit Good Housekeeping's website:

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/healthy/ideas-kids-school-lunches

 

 

 

October 5th through 11th is National Pet Peeve week

Cell phone drivers navigating two lanes with their blinkers on? Know-it-all mother-in-laws telling you to rub every ailment in tomato juice?  Television commercials that perpetuate the worst of every stereotype known to humanity?  Well, here's your week: a self-indulgent tweek devoted to snarky diatrabes. Blog, whine, tweet and correct the terrible syntax and grammar on your friend's facebook status updates.  This week only comes once a year!

My cousin's first job out of college was selling Kirby vacums.  He entreated and presented to all our aunts, uncles, nanas and grandpas enticing those of substantial income to buy his vacuum.

His own mother bought an Oreck vacuum, which just goes to show that blood is not thicker than a vacuum cord.  This Oreck is a sweet vacuum.  For more info about the Oreck vacuum along with numerous other products, visit http://oreck.com/

I would like to follow my smart Auntie's example and own an Oreck of my own, so I've entered a contest to win one.

http://kidzborn2impress.blogspot.com/2010/09/born-2-impress-everything-home-event_06.html

You can join, too, but if you win, please let me have Tues / Thurs custody?!?

HOLY CONTEST WINNER, BATMAN!!!

I was already a fan of Sugar Pop Ribbons because she's a darn funny writer and, let's face it, who can't get into a cupcake themed blog?

However,  I won my first giveaway!!!  This comes just in time for my lovely niece's back to school birthday.  Imagine that this bag can't get any cuter, but suddenly, this little pumpkin is wearing it!

So look out, Burbank Elementary school, cuteness and style won't know what hit 'em!!

Special thanks to Dabbawalla Bags and Sugar Pop Ribbons for their generosity.  Huzzah!!

CSN ALERT!!  The online smorgasbord of all things wonderful in terms of everything is attainable.  I've entered a giveway that Blueberry Kisses is kindly hosting with a $60 giftcard prize for CSN (http://www.csnstores.com/)  *giddy*

What should I get for my little cub?  I can dream, right?




 

Grouches of the world unite!
Stand up for your grouchly rights!
Don't let the sunshine spoil the rain
Just stand up and complain (heheheh)

Let this be the grouches' cause:
Point out everybody's flaws!
Something is wrong with everything
Except the way I sing!
You know what's right with this world? Nuttin!
You know what gets me hot under the collar? You name it!
And the next time some goody-two-shoes smiles and tells you to have a nice day, just remember:

Don't let the sunshine spoil the rain,
Just stand up and complain!
Just stand up and complain!

I'm looking to share 20 years of this significant wisdom with my cub.  Giveaway for 20 Years and Counting at Island Life 808's blog.

http://islandlife808.com/giveaways/sesame-street-20-years-and-still-counting 

I've lost the greatest eyeshadow ever to my sweet cubby's curious little fingers.  Hoping to get a new (improved ) eyeshadow by winning this giveaway.  I already use Bare Minterals and ADORE it.  Care to enter Chickolith's giveaway for a $20 Sephora giftcard?

http://www.chickolith.com/2010/07/21/chickolith-giveaway-wednesday-bigens-fall-hair-color-and-a-sephora-gift-card/